Unity Before God

The one true God is the God of unity.  He makes peace between the nations, tears down barriers, and uplifts the oppressed.

We find a testament to this awesome power in Ephesians 2:14, when, describing the distinction between the Jews and Gentiles, the author says, “For [Jesus Himself] is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

One can only hope that one day the peace that Christ extended to gentiles could also be extended to all the world, not only in terms of violence but also in terms of social separation.  A prime example of that is the advancement we have seen toward racial equality within the United States.

We are now bringing to a close Black History Month— celebrating the advancement of a historically marginalized group.  As part of a push toward a more Christ-like world in which arbitrary distinctions on the basis of skin color will be abolished, it is a perfect time for Americans to acknowledge the contribution of Black Americans to the history of our great nation.

Though Black History is sometimes relegated to the African-American Studies part of the academic catalog, this fails to acknowledge the significance of Black Americans in shaping and re-shaping our nation.

For example, did you know that Harry Hoosier (variously recorded as “Hosier,” “Hosher,” and “Hossier”), an influential Black preacher who died in 1806, may be the person from whom Indiana gets its nickname “the Hoosier state?”  A lawmaker in Indiana recently tried to emphasize this history with the introduction of legislation which, “along with amending the Indiana Code to designate the official nickname for the state, House Bill 1143 recognizes Harry Hoosier as the namesake.”

Similarly, did you also know that as early as 1868, South Carolina had the first majority Black legislature?  The image that was distributed of this post-reconstruction legislature is described in the archives of Princeton University as the result of “the Reconstruction Act of 1867— which redesigned the governing bodies of the southern states after the American Civil War.  Not only did African Americans have the right to vote, but they also serve within the government.  When South Carolina rejoined the Union in 1868, they had the first state legislature with a black majority.”

What these anecdotes teach us is that, instead of solely concentrating on the oppression of Black Americans as a problem to be solved, it is also important to acknowledge and highlight the triumphs and contributions of Black Americans despite incredible odds.

It serves as a reminder that goodwill ultimately triumph over evil.  That, one day, God will make all things right with the world.

As we are reminded in Romans 8:38-39: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Coloring Between the Lines

For decades the debate of the creative vs. rule purists has held court in kindergarten classrooms everywhere.  “Allow the child free expression” expounds one effusive teacher, while another orders, “color only between the lines.”  The more effervescent child is either enthralled with the liberty to purely express his art or is bored with the demands of the border lines.  The grown-up debate takes us to the courts of America— Where artistic liberty is being challenged.  

Does the business of creating art for hire necessitate government regulation of the content? Does a “customer demand” trump “moral freedom” by the artist?

In July 2012, Charlie Craig and David Mullins requested a cake be designed by Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, CO.  The cake would celebrate their upcoming same-sex wedding. The owner of the cakeshop, Jack Phillips, declined to accept the job based on his religious beliefs.  A complaint filed with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission was ruled in favor of Craig and Mullins.  The U. S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) reversed that ruling, in a 7-2 decision, after evaluating the unique disfavor the Colorado Civil Rights Commission demonstrated against Jack Phillips in their ruling.

SCOTUS is now considering a similar issue of free speech with the case of Lorie Smith. Lorie is a Christian graphic designer who creates wedding websites for clients.  She believes that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and “each and every one of my designs is a reflection of me.”  She is concerned that she will be forced to create same-sex wedding websites or lose her business.  She could be required to only color “in the lines” while her free speech and artistry were held prisoner by laws.

The Britannica Dictionary defines art as “something that is created with imagination and skill, and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.”  Is then, a business owner who sells their artistry, not be allowed to only sell their personal expressions behind their art?  If not, then every painting, every sculpture, and every other form of art may end up being regulated under the scrutiny of government censors. Where there is no freedom in personal expression, there is no art.  Once free speech is bound to such severe government mandated restrictions, creativity is stunted, in violation of the First Amendment.

Christians have the right to express their deepest emotions and beliefs within their art. The First Amendment protects citizens’ right to free speech— so long as the practice does not run afoul of a “compelling” governmental interest.  Lorie Smith and Jack Phillips refuse to allow their art to be adulterated.  

Romans 12:2 compels us to “not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

The “coloring” is your choice as you follow God’s will.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Biden State Department is Blind to Nigerian Christians’ Suffering

In December 2020, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added Nigeria to the State Department’s list of “countries of particular concern” (CPC) – a category that permits the United States to take certain action.  But just 11 months later, the State Department under Antony Blinken removed the western African country from that list.

More recently – to the consternation of human rights and persecution organizations – the State Department has again refused to place Nigeria on the list.  American Family News spoke with Wendy Wright of Christian Freedom International (CFI) about that decision.  “What we’re seeing is that the violence [against Christians in Nigeria] is at least the same if not increased … and so what has the State Department done?  To our great disappointment, the State Department continues to not list Nigeria as a country of particular concern,” she laments.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom – a bipartisan group – also expressed its displeasure about the removal of Nigeria from the CPC list, arguing it was “rightfully placed” on that list in 2020.  

In its latest “World Watch List,” Open Doors puts Nigeria at # 6 among the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.  It was ranked # 7 in 2022, and # 9 a year before that.  The watchdog group also reports that in 2022 alone, more than 5,000 Christians were murdered in Nigeria and over 4,700 were abducted.

Wright is calling for prayer as an election for president approaches (February 25) in that country.  “Pray for a new government,” she requests.  “Sadly, the political organizations in Nigeria are very heavily weighted toward Muslim candidates.”  In fact, there is only one Christian running for the office.

CFI is working to help Nigerian Christians, including widows and orphans who have lost their father and husband by vicious attacks from Muslim terrorists; and providing trauma counseling for youth.  

Three members of the U.S. House (two Republicans and one Democrat) are sponsors of a resolution (HRes82) expressing the need to again designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern “for engaging in and tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”  The resolution was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on January 31.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

At Last, a State Bans Chemical Castration and Sex-Change Surgeries for Kids

South Dakota lawmakers have passed a bill banning sex change surgeries and experimental puberty blockers for children and teens and is awaiting the signature of Gov. Kristi Noem (R) for it to become state law.

House Bill 1080 received overwhelming support, passing the state House the other week by a vote of 60-10 and then passing the Senate by a vote of 30- 4.  The bill states that “a healthcare professional may not, for the purpose of attempting to alter the appearance of, or to validate a minor’s perception of, the minor’s sex, if that appearance or perception is inconsistent with the minor’s sex.”  The legislation goes on to prohibit giving minors “any drug to delay or stop normal puberty,” or to perform “any sterilizing surgery, including castration, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, penectomy, and vasectomy.”

HB 1080 includes exemptions for, among other things, when a child is “born with a medically verifiable disorder of sex development, including external biological sex characteristics that are irresolvably ambiguous” or when a child needs “treatment for an infection, injury, disease, or disorder that has been caused or exacerbated by” earlier attempts to change their sex.

The legislation also allows for minors who are presently taking a regimen of opposite-sex hormones or puberty blockers to have the dosage gradually reduced for safety reasons.

Last month, Noem’s Communications Director Ian Fury told The Daily Signal that the governor “supports this legislation and will be watching as the legislature works through the process.”

Samantha Chapman of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota has expressed opposition to HB 1080, calling it “a devastating and dangerous violation of the rights and privacy of transgender South Dakotans, their families and their medical providers.”  “Medical decisions belong to patients (and their parents) and their doctors — not the government,” said Chapman.  “The only controversy in providing life-saving gender-affirming care for transgender youth in South Dakota is the one fabricated by legislators who want to see this harmful bill become law.”

In February 2022, Noem signed a bill into law that, among other things, prohibited men who identify as women from competing in women-only athletic competitions.  Noem said in a statement at the time that the legislation would provide women and girls in South Dakota “a level playing field” in athletic competitions, adding that the law “gives them the chance to experience success, go on to potentially play at a higher level, earn scholarships, perhaps play professionally, and have a career.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Respect for Marriage Act and Biblical Christianity

Genesis 2:24 records the institution of marriage, describing how “a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”  The divine intention behind such a union has always been interpreted as being one which produces not only sexual intimacy and companionship, but also children.

Noticeably, this vision of a Biblical marriage does not include homosexual marriages.

While historically, the church and the state both refused to recognize or perform marriages for homosexual couples, that changed when the United States government began recognizing same-sex marriage in 2014.

This split was recently highlighted after President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) into law— a Congressional bill that codifies federal recognition of same-sex marriage that was originally ruled on in the Supreme Court case of Obergefell v Hodges.

The 2014 Obergefell case came on the heels of the case of Lawrence v Texas (2002), which ruled against state anti-sodomy laws.  Knowing that Lawrence opened the door to same-sex marriage, in the twelve years after Lawrence, 34 states passed amendments encoding a Biblical understanding of marriage as being between a man and a woman. These amendments were undemocratically invalidated in one fell swoop in the Obergefell ruling.

Similarly, the RFMA bill has raised concerns from numerous conservative Christian organizations because it signals the dawn of an emboldened era in which same-sex marriage is popular enough that it is not only recognized by court precedent, but is also being encoded by Congressional statute.  This comes on the heels of a recent Pew Research Report indicating that an unprecedented 71% of Americans now say they agree with the statement that “marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.”

The difficulty posed to American Christians by this increasing cultural comfort with homosexuality is that no Christian may simultaneously call themselves “conservative” while also endorsing homosexuality.  This obviously places Christians in an oppositional position to the discussions of liberal media.

There are six major verses in the Bible condemning homosexuality: sexual assaults committed in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-11), Levitical laws condemning homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13), New Testament “vice lists” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:10), and the Pauline epistle to the Romans (Romans 1:26-27).

While some scholars, like Robert K. Gnuse, may attempt to equivocate over the supposed original meaning behind these texts, to do so not only rejects the plain implication of the text, but also thousands of years of undisputed Christian practice and theology.

While the passage of RFMA is certainly discouraging to conservative Christians, this is not an unprecedented cultural experience for Christianity.  In the days of the Roman Empire, homosexual behavior abounded and was often closely connected with various pagan cults.  Despite the gratuitous homosexuality of ancient Rome, God’s plan did not fail, and Christians were still able to set themselves apart as a people— despite being surrounded by a culture that did not share their values.  

This is not to say that conservative Christianity should not continue to defend its place in society, but it is to say that Christians should not be afraid that legal and cultural liberalization will be able to thwart God.

As James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Love Defined or Love Divine?

The American culture is in love with love.  We love our cars.  We love our pets.  We love our coffee brand.  The list goes on and on.  The term “love” is so used and misused that it can barely be defined.  Certainly not by what we love.  The loves of our lives are mostly inconsequential, fleeting, and without substance.  Unfortunately, love for what it was originally designed for is often washed out in waves of emotion.

Many Christians are familiar with the three types of love mentioned in the Bible.  Eros refers to physical or sexual love.  Philos means warm affection or friendship.  Agape is the unconditional love of God.  It would seem, by these definitions that the American culture rides significantly on the eros and philos trains— distributing their likes and compulsions to both animate and inanimate objects.

Valentine’s Day is the day our fast-paced culture stops long enough to consider love. Though the holiday is largely believed to be centered on the relational love of eros, $23.9 billion was spent in 2022 on the accouterments of the day.  Everyone “loves” the candy and flowers, yet most people feel unloved.  “31% of U.S. adults report feeling lonely at least some of each day.”  At the same time, Americans are being brainwashed continually by erroneous definitions of the love relationship between couples by the many television, movie, and even cartoon characters they view.  Cupid’s arrow seems to have both no target and all targets.

Love in a marriage between one man and one woman is well-defined in the Bible.  I Corinthians 13:4-7 begins “love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude” and ends with love “believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  These qualities are rarely exemplified on the screens of our lives and almost as scarce in the people of our lives as we see far more divorces than 50th-wedding anniversaries.  Husbands are to honor their wives and wives to honor their husbands (I Peter 3).

Above all, there is the unlimited, unrelenting love of God.  The sacrifices we make to one another to secure our love relationship with our spouse are but a shadow of the great love God showers on us daily.  His love is everlasting and meant to be acknowledged as such by His creations.  His love is meant to draw us closer to each other and Him. Agape love is the greatest of the three loves.  God sacrificed His only Son to save the people from their sins so that they could live with Him through eternity.  Romans 5:8 reminds us that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

It's not too late to embrace the true meaning of love this Valentine’s Day.  Hold dear to your loved ones acknowledging them for who God has meant them to be.  Honoring them as God would honor them and love them unconditionally.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Christian Masculinity

Christian men are often told to review Ephesians 5:25-27 for guidance on how to love their wives as God intended: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

This guidance is all the more important in light of the disturbing lack of male role models in contemporary America.  Where are the Mr. Rogers?  Or the Leave It to Beaver fathers?  Instead of such positive male influences, we get dollar store knock offs that teach all the wrong values.

The recent revelation that macho mega-influencer Andrew Tate is being charged with sexual assault and sex-trafficking in Romania is illustrative of this broader point.  Tate is alleged to have lured one woman to join him in Romania.  According to news reports, “The following month, Romanian prosecutors say, Tate [sexually assaulted the woman] while seeking to enlist her in a human-trafficking operation focused on making pornography.”  The court documents released as part of the trial indicate that prosecutors believe Tate and his brother used deception and threats against the women involved in making these videos to “transform them into slaves.”

On the bright side, it is possible that the arrest and prosecution of Tate have shown all the world exactly the kind of person men should not become.  It is undoubted that the notion of masculinity is controversial in the modern era, with words like “toxic” being liberally used to describe any activity that might even hint at traditional manliness (though labeling Tate the “King of Toxic Masculinity” may not be too far off).

This acknowledgment does not reject the fact that masculinity has too often been used to justify violence and entitled behavior on the part of men, husbands, and fathers.

Nevertheless, in the 21st century, it is time to stop demonizing men for “failing” to be like women.  Instead, we must begin painting a positive picture of what masculinity can and should look like within a Christian framework.

Instead of following the teachings of secularists like Tate, we should turn to the example that Jesus Christ set— being willing to die for the Church, His bride.  This was reiterated in 1 Peter 3:7, which taught, “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect.”

As we consider the celebration of Valentine’s Day, this is a prime time to consider and remind ourselves of the loving and self-sacrificial relationship that God intended for men to have with their wives and families.  This notion of masculinity is not self-centered or unkind; it is selfless and forgiving.  It is not unmoved and heartless but strong and deeply loving.  This is the notion of masculinity that we ought to remind ourselves to emulate.

As Deuteronomy 31:6 teaches us in relation to the world, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

OFFENSIVE WAYS

Christians, we will be offended in this world!  There really is no getting around it.  We live, think, and believe in ways counter to our culture.  Therefore, others are going to not like us— even hate us for who we are.  Our ”woke” generation perceives a completely different world of normal.

Definitions of words have been reversed.  The result is that we all offend each other without realizing what we said that offended.  Listen to this definition by Jim Morgan of what we face:

“ ‘Woke’ is awaking from a supposed sleep induced by parents, preachers, youth group leaders, America’s founders, and anyone else with the audacity to tell people how to live their lives.  Once ‘enlightened’ to their true identity and nature, liberated from the arcane idea that mankind is sinful and needs a Savior, society begins its regression into the division, dependence, decadence, and decline that eventually demands a (secular) savior.  The social decay precipitated by shifting trust and truth from God to self, sets the stage for submission to the authorities and structures inevitably needed to salvage the sinking ship.”

When confronting the “woke” philosophy we have a couple of problems.  First, how do we deal with the offensive action or statement leveled against us (that a Biblical worldview is oppressive)?  Secondly, how do we refrain from being equally offensive in our responses, if at all possible?

Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who covers an offense promotes love…”  Perhaps another way of thinking would be to decide ahead of time not to let an offense affect you emotionally. Let it go, give it to the Lord to deal with.  When in an honest conversation, even a debate, stick with truth and facts rather than innuendos and all the gray areas of thought. Know the subject well that you are discussing or simply state that you are not prepared to discuss it at this time. Barging ahead can often lead to all the unintended offensive remarks that shut down the conversation.  Realize ahead of time that those who are opposed to Christianity will re-define the very concepts of Christianity and turn them against us.  When this happens ask for them to further define what they are meaning and accusing us of.  Then freely defend the Biblical perspectives of each.  Help them understand they are not arguing with you, but with God— with His Holy Word.  “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11).

Be open in your own short fallings in order to expose your sinfulness (Romans 3:23). We are not claiming to be perfect in ourselves, but only as we are redeemed in Christ. Eternal life is not something we made up for convenience sake, but it is a gift we accepted from God (Romans 6:23)— available to everyone (Romans 10:9-13).  Though we are indeed engaged in spiritual warfare, we do not need to utilize the same weapons as our enemies use.  See yourself, not as a soldier needing to kill and destroy.  Picture yourself, instead, as God’s vessel of love and grace seeking to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10).

Do not prepare with man’s weapons for war, but with God’s (Ephesians 6:11-18). Prepare, study, memorize, and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance all that you will need (John 14:26).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

CA Mom Sues School District for Secretly Transitioning Her 5th Grade Daughter

A California mother is suing her local school district alleging school officials withheld information from her about her daughter’s decision to change genders.  

Attorneys for the nonprofit law firm Center for American Liberty (CAL) representing Aurora Regino filed the lawsuit against the Chico Unified School District (CUSD) located in Butte County, CA.  According to CAL, Regino’s daughter (A.S.), is a fifth grader attending an elementary school within the district.  After the then 11-year-old girl reportedly expressed her gender confusion to a school guidance counselor, the counselor determined in a brief period of time that A.S. was a boy.  The counselor told her when she was at school, she would be identified as a male with a new name and new pronouns.

The school’s officials failed to tell Regino about her daughter’s gender change, according to CAL.  “That is because the Chico Unified School District, like school districts across California, have adopted official California Department of Education guidance to Cal. Ed. Code 221.5 (AB 1266).  Here, the California DOE’s guidance prohibits teachers and school administrators from notifying parents of their student’s gender transition until directed to do so by the student,” the law firm said in a statement.  “This flips the Constitution on its head!  Parents have a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment to direct the upbringing of their kids—at a minimum this includes being made aware of life-changing decisions being made at school,” the statement said.  “And it would certainly prohibit a school guidance counselor from actively excluding a parent from such a decision, as was the situation here.  A.S. wanted to talk to her mom about her ‘transition,’ but her guidance counselor manipulated her into keeping her mom in the dark,” the statement contends.

The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to put a stop to the CA DOE and CUSD’s “Parental Secrecy Policy.”  

CUSD Superintendent Kelly Staley responded in a statement addressed to “Chico United Families” that was posted to the district’s website, wanting to “assure our community that Chico Unified does not have a ‘Parental Secrecy Policy,’ nor do we ever try to change a student’s individual identity.”…“In regard to the lawsuit, we value our community and will thoroughly review and investigate any claims.  As you know, Chico Unified continues to focus on family engagement and works hard to maintain open and transparent communication.  We highly value the relationships our families have built with their schools” Staley said.  “While we cannot discuss legal proceedings, we do encourage our families to reach out to our District Office if they have specific questions regarding our curriculum, instruction or policies,” her statement concluded.

During a recent interview with Fox News’ Jessie Watters, Regino said her daughter was doing well and that she doesn’t identify as a male now and that she was “appalled by the actions the school district has taken.”  When asked how long her daughter was identifying as a male without her knowledge, she replied, “For a few months.  She had opened up to a guidance counselor and the guidance counselor the very day that she opened up and said she felt like a male, she walked her to class and affirmed it that day.” Regino also said she never gave permission to meet with her daughter without her.  “My daughter did mention to the school counselor that she wanted to tell me, and the school counselor dismissed her request and was trying to get her to come out to other people first,” she said.  “My daughter eventually told my mother,” Regino explained, “which my mother told me and I reached immediately out to the principal of the school.”

School officials told Regino about AB 1266— a state law requiring them to hide her daughter’s new identity.  The law was signed in 2013 to permit trans students to participate in sports and use bathrooms based on their chosen gender identity, not their biological sex.  

CAL Executive Director & General Counsel Mark Trammell told Fox News “this is not the law.  The school district might argue that it is.  There’s been a guidance issued by the California Department of Education.  But this guidance so clearly violates the Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment.  That’s really why we filed this lawsuit.  Parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children.  And it’s really hard for parents to exercise that right when school districts are keeping secrets from them, especially on matters like this that are of such significant importance to a child.”

According to the California Family Council (CFC), the text of the bill says nothing regarding keeping a student’s gender identity secret from parents.  But the CA DOD’s Q&A page on AB 1266 recommends keeping a separate file on a student’s gender identity, which is kept secret from parents.  “Under no circumstances should a school hide personal information about a student from their parents, much less provide private counsel without their knowledge or consent.  Parents know their children best and they alone have the right to direct the mental health of their children,” the CFC wrote in a post on the organization’s website.  “Children suffering from gender confusion need the guidance and wisdom of their parents, not activism from school staff,” the CFC said.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Bow at the LGBT Altar … or Else

Do you remember when the main goal of LGBT activism was creating an atmosphere of “tolerance and acceptance?”  Those days are long gone, and the goal posts have been moved dramatically.  Today, if you do not partake in the public, mandatory celebration of LGBT pride, you will be marked and you will be ostracized.  If you don’t believe it, just ask NHL hockey player Ivan Provorov.

Provorov, who is from Russia and plays on the Philadelphia Flyers, declined to participate in pregame warmups for the Flyer’s LGBT pride night, since he would have been required to wear a pride-themed jersey.  He explained to reporters, “I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices.  My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion [which is Russian Orthodox].  That’s all I’m going to say.”  In other words, if someone identifies as LGBT, that’s their business, and he respects that.  He has his own religious beliefs which dictate how he lives, and he would ask others to respect that.

Flyers coach John Tortorella was supportive of Provorov’s choice, explaining that the team made clear where it stood on LGBT pride.  As for Provorov himself, Tortorella said that “he is being true to himself and to his religion.  This has to do with his beliefs and his religion.  That is one thing I respect about Provy, he is always true to himself, so that’s where we’re at with that.”

But not everyone was as tolerant.  According to hockey journalist Pierre LeBrun, if Provorov really respected the LGBT community, he would have participated in the event and worn the jersey.  To paraphrase, “Who gives a hoot about his religious convictions? To respect someone means to celebrate who they are and what they do, even if it is in fundamental contradiction to one’s own beliefs and convictions.”

Hockey commentator Gord Miller seconded LeBrun’s sentiments, adding that Provorov should have been banned from playing in the game.  After all, he tweeted, “Freedom of expression doesn’t give you freedom from the consequences of your words or actions.” To paraphrase again, “Failure to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride has serious professional consequences!”

Sports and comedy writer Rachael Millanta was even more blunt, calling Provorov “ignorant, obnoxious, and homophobic,” also referring to people like him as “bigots” who “hide behind their cherry-picked religion.”

So, by Provorov following the consistent Christian teachings of the last 2,000 years (or, more broadly, the consistent biblical teachings of the last 3,000+ years), he is an ignorant, obnoxious, and homophobic bigot who is cherry-picking his beliefs.  The same can be said for the tens of millions of Russian Orthodox Christians who share these beliefs, along with many hundreds of millions of other Christians of like heart and like mind.  In short, you cannot graciously disagree.  You cannot respectfully opt out. Instead, you must deny your convictions, rewrite the Bible, run roughshod over your faith, and publicly celebrate something you believe to be wrong.  Otherwise, you are a crass human being and a small-minded bigot.  Those are your only choices!

As was asked at the start of this article: “Do you remember when the main goal of LGBT activism was creating an atmosphere of ‘tolerance and acceptance?’ ”  Most young people, including young adults, do not remember this time because they never experienced it. Instead, they have grown up with the choice to celebrate LGBT pride or be branded, to comply publicly or be ousted.

That’s how much the tables have turned, even though the testimony of Scripture remains as clear today as it has ever been.

Provorov is just the latest example of this reverse bigoted, small-minded, judgmentalism which leaves us with only one ethical choice: We will continue to love our LGBT neighbor as ourselves and we will refuse to back down on our convictions regardless of cost or consequence.  That’s what Jesus would have us do.  

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Be Careful Eyes What You See

Do you remember the old childhood song that went— “O, be careful little eyes what you see (repeat) … For the Father up above is looking down in love … So be careful little eyes what you see.”  This song has been around for many generations.  Maybe you remember singing it yourself.  Not only is this a good reminder for us, but also for we, as adult Christians, to watch over those in our charge— in love.

At times, this might be at great risk.  Risks like being called names (biased, homophobic, unloving,) … to name a few.  Yet, hasn’t our Father given us this charge to protect?  Is it time for us to take a stand for Truth, and in so doing, bring our world’s focus onto God?

At least three Muslim countries in the Middle East (Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) are taking action to protect their children from the ravages of the LBGTQ influences of our world. They are standing up to the likes of Disney and Netflix for the “harmful content of their movies”— Content that is targeted at their children.  Movies such as “Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous,” Marvel Studios film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Disney’s “Lightyear,” are some that are falling under the microscope of content that does not fit with their view of “healthy upbringing of children.”

How about us?  Are we really doing all we can to protect our children from these same influences toward sinful life?  

The Bible has much to say about guarding what our eyes see and the influences it can have on us.  “… you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes” (Numbers 15:39).  Even more serious are the words of Numbers 33:55, “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of your land, those that you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides.  They will give you trouble in the land where you live.”

It is understood that we, in the USA, cannot “drive them out” in the same way as the Israelites were commanded, but what can we do to drive them out of our lives and the lives of our children?  Be ready to stand against the evil forces and stand for the protection of our children!

Some suggestions may include: refusing to go to the movies that present the homosexual lifestyle as “normal.”  Turn off the TV shows that do the same.  Agree that the LGBTQ agenda, along with so much of the media, is “promoting homosexuality by focusing excessively on homosexuals.”  In showing love to this lost and dying world, we are not obliged to agree with the world’s views by displaying them before our own eyes or those of our children.  Only as we cut these out of our view do we fulfill the, “… covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully …” (Job 31:1ff).  It is troubling that, concerning this aspect of morality, a religion [Islam] that is contrary to the scriptural fact that Jesus is Lord, is doing more to protect their children than far too many Christian families.

Be ready and willing to lead the way in your life to set the path of moral standards in the lives of your children and your church.  If we cannot hold to it, then how shall we expect others to avoid these same temptations?  Love the sinner, hate the sin.

“The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22).  “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

POWER

What gives people feelings of power?

For some it is money.

For a few more it is status.

For many more it is being the Line Leader in Kindergarten.

Kind of humorous?  Yes.  Yet there is probably some real truth in it.  Ask any teacher of young children.  But the discussion should not end there.  In fact, this simply sets the stage for the really important things relating to power.

Plato stated things this way: “The measure of a man is what he does with power.”

Power always brings with it responsibility and therefore the need of utilizing that power in godly ways and for God glorifying results.  What do God glorifying results look like?  Job 36:22, “God is exulted in His power.  Who is a teacher like Him?”  So, God glorifying may very well have the result of teaching others what God is like.  

Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it.”  Incidentally, the word ‘deserve,’ does not only indicate having earned something.  When you perceive that someone deserves it, for whatever reason, give to that person what God has blessed you to give.  When someone is ailing (physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually) be free with your gifts of healing.  God will direct you in giving good words, praise, providing a way, sharing your testimony, extolling reward or simply to give a good hug and to cry with them.  

Remember that His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Consider what powers God has entrusted to you that you are able to use as you bless others and glorify the Father.  Be watchful and ready to use them in His wisdom— not human wisdom— “… lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” ( 1 Corinthians 1:17).  “Guard what (and perhaps who) has been entrusted to your care.  Turn away from godless chatter …” (1Timothy 6:20).  As you adopt this way of life and this perspective of the use of power, you will be perceived by those around you as having been, “… clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), simply because you have learned the power in giving and loving in Jesus’ name.

We are engaged in some fierce battles these days.  Spiritual battles, political battles, relational battles, and battles of the mind.  Satan seeks to divide and separate at every opportunity.  Fight the good fight.  Be fearless in the battle before you.  Be skilled in the use of your weapons (Ephesians 6:11).  Bring healing to this world and to the individuals in your life (Luke 9:1).  Continue to testify to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and much grace will be upon you (Acts 4:33).

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:10-12).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel